Orientation & Check-In

The International Center provides an orientation to give new international students essential information regarding their stay at MU. You are required to check-in and attend orientation. These events give you the chance to:

• Meet the staff of the International Center as well as other international and American students
• Gain helpful information regarding your visa type and how to remain in legal immigration status
• Learn more about Columbia and how to get involved with student life on campus
• Receive information on how to get a student ID, complete your health screening, finalize housing arrangements, and more.

Other events to aid in your transition to MU (shopping trips, social gatherings, and informational workshops) are offered throughout the week of orientation, but you can decide whether or not you want to participate in these events.

• Spring 2010 Check-In
• Spring 2010 New International Student Orientation
• English Language Exam for Undergraduate Students
• Missouri Math Placement Test (MMPT)
• International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP)
• International Student Welcome Guide

Spring 2010 Check-In

If you are beginning your program in the Spring 2010 semester, you may check-in at orientation, or at the International Center (N52 Memorial Union) during the following time(s):

When you check-in you will need your:

• Passport
• I-20 or DS-2019
• I-94 (given to you when your arrive in the US)
• Graduate assistantship offer letter (sample ), if applicable

In addition, you will be required to complete a check-in form. On that form, you will be asked to provide the name, address and phone number of someone in your home country and in the U.S. whom we may notify in case of emergency.

Transfer student note: It may take several days after you check-in to receive your new I-20.

Spring 2010 New International Student Orientation

New International Student Orientation is mandatory and takes place on Monday, January 11. Students may plan on the events lasting most of the day, beginning at 9:00 am in Memorial Union (Stotler Lounge). Please check back here for more details in the coming months.

If you are unable to attend the mandatory orientation due to visa delays, please contact our office at your earliest convenience.

Know that you must check-in and attend orientation or you will be in violation of your visa status. Also, students arriving at MU after the start of classes (which is January 19) must contact their department to confirm that arriving late is alright with the department.

English Language Exam for Undergraduate Students

All new degree-seeking international undergraduate students are required to take the MU English Language Exam before they register for classes. For the Spring 2010 semester, the exam will be given at 8:00 am on Tuesday, January 12 in 208 McReynolds Hall. You must sign up for the exam either at the new student orientation on January 11, or you may go to the ELSP Office in Room 208 McReynolds Hall before January 12 to sign up.

Missouri Math Placement Test (MMPT) for Undergraduates

All new degree-seeking international undergraduate students who have not taken the SAT exam are asked to take the Missouri Math Placement Test (MMPT) before they register for classes. The test is not given for a grade but will help determine which math class students should register for first. The exam is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12 at 3:00 pm in Room 126 of the Physics Building (students are asked to arrive 15 minutes early and the exam will only take one hour). Students may register for the exam at orientation on January 11. More information about the exam (including practice tests) can be found on the Department of Mathematics Web site.

International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP)

New international graduate students who have a teaching assistantship (TA) for the Spring Semester 2010 are required to attend the Orientation for New International Teaching Assistants. Most new international students, however, will not begin teaching in their first semester. For more information about the International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP), visit their Web site.